Book Review
Linda Wark (Editor)
McCullough, M.E., Kenneth I Pargament, K.I., & Thoresen, C.E. (Eds.) (2000). Forgiveness: Theory, Research and Practice. New York: The Guilford Press. ISBN 1-57230-510-X.
During times of stress, my spouse and I invoke an incantation that goes something like this: "This is one of those times that we need to forgive each other in advance for saying or doing anything offensive." The effect of this simple act is magical: It seems to pre-empt ill feelings and allows each of us to stay more connected to our core selves during the episode in question. We are able to have more empathy for each other and to monitor the parts of us that want to lash out, seek attention in impulsive ways, or otherwise behave in an extreme manner. When we stumbled upon this ritual, we had no idea of its power or its implications for our relationship. We have since incorporated this "discovery" into our therapy work, and our clients seem to benefit greatly from it. For us, there is something truly healing in forgiveness.
The concept of "forgiveness" has been the subject of thought, discourse, and spiritual focus across the millennia. It is woven into the societal fabric morally, spiritually, and legally is institutionalized through our religious practices and our codes of law. The book, Forgiveness: Theory, research, and practice, co-edited by McCullough, Pargament, and Thoresen (2000), provides an attempt to bring a comprehensive review of the full range of bio-psycho-sociocultural perspectives on this important topic. This edited volume draws from various disciplines and some of the most well respected thinkers on the subject.
What was immediately interesting to me about this book was the editors' assertion that, "The concept of forgiveness received no systematic attention from scientific psychologists for most of the discipline's short history" (p. 3). In their introductory chapter, they provide a brief history of the psychology of forgiveness, which leads me to conclude that the subject has been all but ignored until the past twenty years. The editors offer a working definition, reflecting the work of other contributors of the book: ". . . intraindividual, prosocial change toward a perceived transgressor that is situated within a specific interpersonal context." They make the argument that such a definition is both an interpersonal and an intrapersonal construct, and, as such, always has others rather than self as its point of reference (p. 9). They challenge both the reader and the authors of the various chapters to consider such a definition as a starting point for toward a consensual definition of forgiveness, and they invite the reader to test his or her own definition against theirs.
The chapters are divided into three sections: Conceptual and measurement issues, basic psychological research, and applications in counseling, psychotherapy, and health. The editors conclude the volume by drawing common themes that offer promise for future theory-building and empirical study. The book presents perspectives on forgiveness from religious, neuropsychological, personality, and sociocultural perspectives.
In the editors' concluding chapter, concepts are distilled from the previous chapters. They offer excellent summaries of the major points from each chapter, and present a clear set of guidelines for future theory-building and empirical study. They then offer a set of twenty-three "critical questions" for researchers on forgiveness that span the biopsychosocial continuum.
Despite long-held beliefs from most of the religious traditions and the intuitive beliefs that clinicians hold regarding the importance of forgiveness, its formal study is only a recent topic of scientific inquiry. I was impressed by the breadth of the chapters. I found myself questioning my own beliefs, drifting off to thoughts about clients and couples I have worked with, and feeling a tinge of excitement that this is important and fertile new territory. For clinicians who are used to reading books on psychotherapeutic models and case studies, the book may seem a bit dry and empirical. However, great lengths were taken by the authors to balance empirical writing with very interesting and thought-provoking questions. While I was left with more questions than answers, I was stimulated to think about applications of forgiveness to the events of our time. In an age in which fundamental beliefs have been challenged by violence, terrorism, and hatred, a concept that addresses understanding and empathy toward perpetrators, psychosocial healing, and restoration of a solid sense of self could not be more timely. I recommend the book as a starting point for a paradigm shift that lends promise for promoting health, healing, and evolution of our global context as well as our clients.
Ralph S. Cohen, Ph.D., Director, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Central Connecticut State University.
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